A witness told rescuers she was walking her dog near Fauntleroy Park in Gatesville when she spotted the man trying to cross the swollen Leon River. The woman said she called out to the man and warned him that the river was unsafe, but he claimed to have crossed before and ignored her.

A Fort Hood water safety team and DPS helicopters and drones conducted a four hour search before finding the man walking alongside the river around 7:00 PM. He said he was unaware there was a search going on and that he was looking for a safe place to cross.

Authorities say the man could face charges for entering Fauntleroy Park, which was closed due to flooding.